Cost of Living: Independence, MO vs Columbia, MO

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,227/mo in Independence, MO versus $4,227/mo in Columbia, MO. In the model, rent is about 15.46% of gross in Independence, MO versus 15.55% in Columbia, MO, so Independence, MO tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Independence, MO
$4,227/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Columbia, MO
$4,227/mo
Income level: near
Rent share (1BR) in Independence, MO
15.46%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Columbia, MO
15.55%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Independence, MO and Columbia, MO.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Columbia, MO
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Independence, MO
  • Lower home prices: Independence, MO
  • Higher median household income: Columbia, MO

Cost of Living Index

Independence, MO: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Columbia, MO: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Independence, MO: $1,008/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Columbia, MO: $1,014/mo

Median rent in Columbia, MO is $6/mo higher than in Independence, MO.

Median Home Price

Independence, MO: $166,400 · Columbia, MO: $268,300

Median home price in Columbia, MO is $101,900 higher than in Independence, MO.

Median Household Income

Independence, MO: $59,480 · Columbia, MO: $64,488

Columbia, MO has a higher median household income than Independence, MO by $5,008.

Independence, MO overview · Columbia, MO overview · Popular comparisons